Beyond the prompt. AI: boosting output or slowing thinking?
Join Anna Koj, Helen Dunnett, and Andrew Manasseh on Spotify as they unpack AI efficiency, key hiring trends, and essential skills for 2026 and beyond. Listen to the 3-part series and save the date for our live event on November 4th.
Welcome to “Beyond the Prompt” our three-part conversation about what it takes to thrive in the AI-enabled workplace in the Brussels bubble.
Brussels employers are searching for people who can do more than simply get work done. They need professionals who collaborate across cultures, bring expertise, work on nuanced details and still see the bigger picture. In short, they need people who can connect the dots.
But every one of these capabilities depends on practised human thinking: critical, creative and collaborative. At a time when AI can research, draft and present in seconds, are we strengthening these powerful human skills or allowing them to atrophy? And what happens to the quality of our decisions when speed takes priority over reflection?
Listen to our podcast and join the conversation
Join Anna Koj (Mavence), Helen Dunnett (leadership coach) and myself Andrew Manasseh (Formative Communications) for a provocative discussion about what excellent work and leadership should look like in the AI enabled workplace.
How did we get to talk about this? The three of us work in recruitment, coaching and training respectively and we pick up what our clients are saying. Anna and I broadcast a conversation all the way back in 2023 about the effects of AI on public affairs. We made some pretty good predictions too. But the pace of change is frankly staggering.
In this series, we explore what those skills mean for professionals in Brussels’ policy community in 2026 and beyond. What employers should look for, what individuals can develop, and how leaders can help teams use AI without losing the expertise, relationships and thoughtful judgement that make their work valuable.
Episode 1: We kick off by chatting about the top three timeless skills that we still need to bring to the office. Leadership, people management, vision, communication skills… and more.
What do you think these might be? Hear from Anna about what recruiters are looking for and is it any different to the pre-AI world? What training and coaching are associations asking for their teams?
Episode 2: What’s getting in the way?
The paradox is that the cheaper the tech, the more we don’t save any time. Helen also tells us about the ratchet effect – how we are doing more stuff and getting more overwhelmed.
And let’s remember public affairs is still a relationship business. Are we getting distracted by the glitter of these new AI tools?
Episode 3: Into the future. What does good look like?
We want to look forward and for this we want to hear from you.
We invite you to speculate and be bold and tell us your predictions. If we fast-forward two years, what does a genuinely good human–AI working relationship look like in a Brussels policy or comms team? And what do we need to develop and hire for to get there?
So, join us for a live discussion at The Nine on 4th November from 19.00 – follow the link for registration.
